Kamal Bhula, Maintaining a Drug-Involved Premises, New Mexico 2023
In a shocking turn of events, three men have pleaded guilty to federal charges involving maintaining a drug-involved premises at a motel in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
According to court records, Kamal Bhula, 44, of Albuquerque, Pragneshkumar 'Pete' Patel, 36, of Montgomery, Alabama, and Jonathan Craft, 36, of Albuquerque, were involved in a drug trafficking venture run out of a motel in the city.
The trio was charged with various crimes, including maintaining a drug-involved premise, conspiracy, and being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm or ammunition.
Bhula and Craft will remain in custody pending sentencing, which has not been scheduled. Patel, on the other hand, faces up to 20 years in prison at his sentencing.
The investigation into the case was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from the New Mexico Attorney General's Office, the Albuquerque Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office, and New Mexico State Police.
Assistant United States Attorneys Letitia Carroll Simms and Jack E. Burkhead are prosecuting the case.
The case against Bhula, Patel, and Craft is a stark reminder of the scourge of drug trafficking in New Mexico and the need for law enforcement agencies to work together to combat this crime.
Key Facts
- State: New Mexico
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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